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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

We are recruiting a paid Membership Administration Intern to work with us to support our members! We're particularly keen to hear from people with personal experience of the youth justice system (this could include policing/arrest, youth offending services, courts, custody or alt interventions).

A poster advertising the new AYJ intern role

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Our next AYJ members’ meeting takes place online on 2 April, 12.00–1.30pm. Guest speaker: Alison Clarke, Executive Director of the Youth Custody Service. We’ll also share polling insights on public attitudes to child imprisonment and wider policy updates. Register here: luma.com/vc28wx79

A flyer advertising the AYJ members' meeting on 2 April with guest speaker Alison Clarke. It features a photo of Alison.

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Could you be the next AYJ Chair? We’re seeking a collaborative leader, committed to social justice and children’s rights, to provide strategic oversight to our experienced and knowledgeable Board of Trustees. Deadline: 9am, 16 March 2026. Details: cello-fox-ymfw.squarespace.com/s/AYJ-Chair-...

A blue background with the words, 'The AYJ is looking for a new Chair'

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Today, we have responded to the government’s youth justice policy statement, 'A Modern Youth Justice Service: Foundations Fit for The Future'. We're heartened to see recognition of systemic failure, but the “bold vision” promised must be truly ambitious. www.ayj.org.uk/news-content...

ayj.org.uk

AYJ Comment: Foundations for a Modern Youth Justice System: A Step Toward Ambitious Reform? — AYJ, Alliance for Youth Justice

This AYJ comment responds to the government’s policy statement A Modern Youth Justice System: Foundations Fit for the Future . It welcomes signs of progress while setting out the need for ambitious r...

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

We’re supporting Amendment 221 to put Child Rights Impact Assessments on a statutory footing. Backed by 160 orgs & echoing a key Covid-19 Inquiry recommendation, this is a vital step to ensure children’s rights are considered in decision-making 🔗 bit.ly/4akFft8

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Reposted by The Alliance for Youth Justice

The Howard League @thehowardleague.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Tomorrow, we are going to the High Court to challenge the government’s decision to authorise the use of PAVA spray in prisons holding children. This blogpost explains why: howardleague.org/blog/were-taking-t…

Close-up of a brown eye with text about taking the government to court and explaining the reasons behind it.

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

During today's Sentencing Bill debate, Lord Timpson said the government will review youth sentencing, something we have long called for. This represents a vital opportunity to ensure custody is only used as a last resort for children. Our full statement: www.ayj.org.uk/news-content...

ayj.org.uk

AYJ Comment: Review of child sentencing must be bold to protect children from the harms of imprisonment — AYJ, Alliance for Youth Justice

This AYJ comment piece welcomes the government’s announcement of a dedicated sentencing review for children and calls for the government to take meaningful steps towards meeting children’s distinct ne...

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Delighted to be at @zahidmubarektrust.bsky.social's 'Race in Prisons' conference today, and hear Prisons Minister JamesTimpson acknowledge the stark race inequality in the youth justice system, and the need for ambitious action to address it.

A photo of the event with James Timpson MP giving a presentation

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Reposted by The Alliance for Youth Justice

FairChecks @fairchecks.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

After hundreds of FairChecks supporters wrote to Lord Chancellor David Lammy calling for fairer criminal records checks, we received a response from Lord Timpson. 🔗Read the full letter here - and join the movement, if you haven't already! fairchecks.org.uk/lord-timpson...

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Today’s HMI Prisons report shows how YOIs are failing to build trust between children and staff. Custody must only ever be a last resort, and when used, must prioritise children's wellbeing. It’s time to close YOIs & invest in Secure Children’s Homes. Comment piece: www.ayj.org.uk/news-content...

ayj.org.uk

AYJ Comment: Broken trust in YOIs compromising children’s safety and wellbeing — AYJ, Alliance for Youth Justice

AYJ comment on HMI Prisons’ thematic report Building trust, calls for the closure of YOIs highlighting Secure Children’s Homes provide the best environment for building relationships that support chil...

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Our CEO, Jess Mullen, featured on C5 News discussing youth custody. There wasn’t space for everything we shared — but here’s the key point: The MoJ must commit to closing YOIs & STCs, and set out a long-term vision where custody is a last resort for children. 🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qMb...

youtube.com

Former inmate at four young offender institutions tells 5 News about life inside UK prisons

YouTube video by 5 News

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

NEW: The View — reflections and updates from our CEO Jess Mullen. It’s been a busy start to 2025: • Joint statement opposing PAVA in the children’s secure estate • Members’ meeting with Sir Nic Dakin MP • Published 'Adultifying Youth Custody' And more to come. 🔗 www.ayj.org.uk/news-content...

A photo of Jess Mullen with the text, 'The View, reflections and updates from AYJ CEO Jess Mullen' underneath.

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

The decision to arm YOI staff with PAVA spray is dangerous, unjustified, and risks deepening disparities already in the system. 37 orgs agree: the answer is not more force—it’s more support. Custody must be a last resort. Read the full statement here: 🔗 www.ayj.org.uk/news-content...

ayj.org.uk

Youth justice experts condemn government decision to introduce PAVA spray in children’s prisons — AYJ, Alliance for Youth Justice

The Alliance for Youth Justice (AYJ), along with 37 other organisations and individuals working in youth justice, have joined forces to condemn the government’s decision to introduce PAVA spray for us...

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The Alliance for Youth Justice @theayj.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

We had a productive members' meeting with the Minister for Youth Justice @nicdakinmp.bsky.social yesterday. Thank you to everybody who attended and brought their questions!

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